Hey Unfiltered Folks,

Answer: Because you only praise effort when you see it.

When you're not around, there's no recognition. So they only perform when you're watching.

You trained them that effort only matters if you see it.

This is your fault.

You created a performance culture, not a results culture. You measure effort, not outcomes. So they optimize for looking busy when you're around.

Question to Consider: What do you measure: effort or outcomes?

Why: If you only reward what you see, people optimize for visibility, not results.

Here's what's happening: you walk by someone's desk. They're working hard. You praise them. "Nice work!" They feel good. When you're not watching, they slack.

Why work hard if no one sees it? You've trained them that effort only counts when you're there.

The cost? Your team optimizes for looking busy. They put on a show when you're around. When you're not, productivity drops. Real work slows. You think you need to watch them constantly to keep them working.

But you created this dynamic. Your best self-starters leave because they don't want to perform for you. The ones who stay are the ones comfortable being supervised.

You've built a team that needs babysitting. All because you measure effort, not outcomes. You're running a theater company, not a business.

Action: Stop measuring effort today. Start measuring outcomes.

Tell your team: "I don't care when or where you work. I care about results. Here's the goal. Hit it however you want."

Then trust them.
Check results weekly.

Stop walking around checking on people.

Stay Unfiltered,
— Andy

P.S. Measure output, not activity. Soon you'll see who delivers and who just performs.